Examining models of psychologists' telepsychology use during the COVID‐19 pandemic: A national cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Objective The aim of this study is to apply the theory of reasoned action (TRA) and technology acceptance model (TAM) to psychologists' telepsychology use during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Methods A sample of 2619 US‐licensed psychologists completed a survey assessing telepsychology use and aspects of both models in May 2020. Results Cross‐sectional TRA and TAM path models evidenced excellent fit in explaining psychologists' telepsychology use. The TRA indicated that psychologists' attitudes concerning telepsychology and subjective norms were associated with intentions to use telepsychology, which related to percentage of clinical work performed via telepsychology. The TAM showed that perceived usefulness of telepsychology and perceived ease of use were associated with attitudes toward telepsychology. Perceived usefulness was associated with psychologists' intention to use telepsychology, as was perceived ease of use. Conclusion Efforts to facilitate telepsychology provision during the pandemic and broadly may benefit from trainings and campaigns to address attitudes toward telepsychology, subjective norms, and perceived ease of use.

User experience reevaluation and diffusion of technology in the context of compulsory usage illustrated by the example of telepsychotherapy—a literature review

“…Out of the 16 quantitative papers, six gained their empirical data within the first three months of the global Covid-19 pandemic, between March and May 2020. Two of these, however, the surveys of Pierce et al 9 and McKee et al 10 are based on the same data set. Five studies finished data collected within half a year of the WHO declaration and another three surveys took place after that.…”

“…The by far most commonly named demand is the need for proper, formal training to deal with clinical, legal, and technical issues, including training on practical concerns such as using the software, troubleshooting connection issues, and properly documenting sessions. 10 , 29 McBeath et al 30 find that 88% of surveyed providers consider it important or very important to teach specific remote working skills. Many providers also indicate the need for official guidelines to help with issues and concerns related to telepsychotherapy such as guidelines regulating patient safety.…”

The Role of Knowledge, Emotion, and Intention in Influencing Students’ Behaviors During COVID-19 Pandemic

“…However, a study empirically proved that with the employment of the TRA model, online buying intention transcended traditional buying due to COVID-19 pandemic (Ashokkumar & Nagarajan, 2021). Besides, recent study demonstrated that subjective norms were directly related to percentage use of telepsychology, an association that is not directly theorized in the TRA model (McKee et al, 2021). The TRA model aims to explain the relationship between attitudes and behaviors in human action and it is used to predict how individuals will behave based on their pre-existing attitudes and behavioral intentions.…”

Telepsychology in Europe since COVID-19: How to Foster Social Telepresence?

“…Additionally, there is a relationship between access to technology, experience and practitioner training on the one hand and acceptability of videoconferencing use on the other hand [ 24 ]. Studies have also shown that psychologists’ attitudes about telepsychology and subjective norms are associated with the intention to use telepsychology, which in turn is related to experience of clinical work done via telepsychology [ 26 ].…”